running the tyrrhenian gauntlet

[dlymn]

We are sailing from Rome (actually, Solenzara, Corsica) to Greece this year. I've been checking out the tariffs for ports down the west coast of Italy and I am feeling a little worried. Can anyone suggest a series of stops that:

1. are less than 50 miles apart
2. will not bust the budget (<50 euros) (even anchorages will do)
3. still allow a bit of on land touring
4. might have power and water (and fuel)
5. allow us to savour the rich and exotic rustic culture of the Campanese and Calabrese!!

[atoll]

cant help much on the italian coast,but we have generaly found the east coast of corsica,sardinia and southern sicily have the best options for safe free anchorages,or free alongside berths in most of the commercial harbours.

private marinas anywhere for boats around there are going to cost 50-100euro a night.

though you might try to find some info on the municipal marinas,which are obliged to provide a few free berths for visiting yachts.

free stops using this itinery would be:
elba,lots of anch.

corsica,porto vecchio,anch

sardinia,maddelena arch,cabo d'orso,anch
isola mortorio, anch
golfo di aranchi,anch
olbia,numerous anch and alongside.
ottiolu,municipal marina, free berths
la calletta,free berths

aeoli islands,lots of anch

sicily,mazzaro del vallee,free alongside.
porto empoduce,free alongside
licata,free alongside
pozzallo,anch or in port

then up to corfu and ionian corinth canal or kalamata,aegean etc

all free,all safe from the ne/nw gales that are common,and lots more in between that i have not mentioned.

[athene]

Take a look at the following two pages on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki: Tyrrhenian Coast - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki
Ionian Coast - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki, which have details on all the harbours along the W and S coasts of Italy. You'll find that some of them have transit quays where you can stay free for up to 48 hours. Salerno, for example, is a good base for exploring Paestum and other sites. Often if you choose the smaller harbours (in some of which you may have to do an anchor moor) you may not be charged at all.

The organised marinas are invariably expensive but as long as you avoid the islands (unless you use anchorages) and the marinas run by local mafiosi (e.g. Naples, Salerno) you don't get into the Euros100 a night league.

For Rome, we found the basin at Fiumicino a lot cheaper than the proper marinas.

[multihullsailor6]

Why do you need marinas?

Have a good look at the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, though of volcanic origins and hence steep chasing you can anchor for free in many places off Stromboli, Panarea, Lipari and Vulcano. Vulcano actually has two horse-shoe buoy anchorages separated by a bit of land which will offer you protection in every wind condition - my favourite place in these islands.

Avoid Porto Rosas on Sicily's north coast - no atmosphere but sky-high mooring fees!

On Sicily's west coast I can recommend Trapani (you can anchor within the harbour but need to call the Coastguard first for permission) and the Egadi Islands. Marina di Ragusa nearly on the southern tip offers a good marina with all facilities before heading off to Greece.